Unraveling the Shared Culinary Heritage of Southeast Asia

SimpleJoy
5 min readMay 11, 2023
Vietnamese Pho
Vietnamese pho, source: skinnymixers

As I sip a warm and comforting bowl of Vietnamese pho, I can’t help but marvel at the richness and diversity of our culinary world.

My years working with ASEAN institutions granted me the opportunity to travel across the vibrant Southeast Asian countries, with each trip broadening my understanding and appreciation of our shared heritage and unique differences.

These experiences have taught me that food is more than sustenance; it’s a language of love, a symbol of hospitality, and a testament to our shared history.

You might wonder, “What does a bowl of Vietnamese pho have in common with a hearty plate of Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice)?” Or how does the delicate Hainanese chicken rice of Singapore relate to the fiery Tom Yum Goong of Thailand?

Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice), source: masakapaharini
Hainanese chicken rice of Singapore
Hainanese chicken rice of Singapore, source: honeycombers
Tom Yum Goong of Thailand
Tom Yum Goong of Thailand, source: Hot Thai Kitchen

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SimpleJoy

Mother & aid practitioner 🌏 | Exploring cultural bridges 🌐, aid industry insights 🔍, and cherishing life's simple pleasures 🌸